Collection GB 0074 LMA/4471 - NEW RIVER ACTION GROUP

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 LMA/4471

Title

NEW RIVER ACTION GROUP

Date(s)

  • 1986-2000 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

1.20 linear metres

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

New River Action Group was established in 1986 to protect, conserve and preserve for the benefit of the public and New River, its immediate environs, associated reservoirs and filter beds and fauna and flora. It is composed of member organisations with London wide and local interests in the New River, and of individual Friends of New River.

In the sixteenth century it became apparent that there was not enough fresh water for the capital's fast growing population. In 1606 a Bill was passed in the House of Lords to cut a new river to bring water to London from Chadwell and Amwell in Hertfordshire. A second act allowing them to use a tunnel to convey the water was passed in 1607. In March 1609 the powers and obligations of these two Acts were passed to Hugh Myddelton a Merchant Adventurer and Goldsmith who was also an Alderman of Denbigh (Wales) and had engineering experience in the form of coal mining. Edward Wright a famous mathematician was employed to survey and direct the course of the river. The plan was met with much opposition as various members of the House of Commons feared the value of their lands would be decreased by flooding and a Bill was introduced to repeal to two Acts. In the meantime the project was running over time and budget. The city granted Myddleton an extension and King James I agreed to provide half the cost of the work in return for half of the profits. The work was officially completed 29 September 1613. The original length of the New river was 38.8 miles, but the distance in a straight line is nearer 20 miles.

Archival history

GB 0074 LMA/4471 1986-2000 Collection 1.20 linear metres New River Action Group

New River Action Group was established in 1986 to protect, conserve and preserve for the benefit of the public and New River, its immediate environs, associated reservoirs and filter beds and fauna and flora. It is composed of member organisations with London wide and local interests in the New River, and of individual Friends of New River.

In the sixteenth century it became apparent that there was not enough fresh water for the capital's fast growing population. In 1606 a Bill was passed in the House of Lords to cut a new river to bring water to London from Chadwell and Amwell in Hertfordshire. A second act allowing them to use a tunnel to convey the water was passed in 1607. In March 1609 the powers and obligations of these two Acts were passed to Hugh Myddelton a Merchant Adventurer and Goldsmith who was also an Alderman of Denbigh (Wales) and had engineering experience in the form of coal mining. Edward Wright a famous mathematician was employed to survey and direct the course of the river. The plan was met with much opposition as various members of the House of Commons feared the value of their lands would be decreased by flooding and a Bill was introduced to repeal to two Acts. In the meantime the project was running over time and budget. The city granted Myddleton an extension and King James I agreed to provide half the cost of the work in return for half of the profits. The work was officially completed 29 September 1613. The original length of the New river was 38.8 miles, but the distance in a straight line is nearer 20 miles.

Records deposited in 2005.

The collection contains administrative papers of the New River Action Group, such as minutes, agendas and supporting papers, accounts and correspondence, as well as newsletters, photographs, promotional items, published books and articles, and maps and plans of the New River.

The material is arranged into administrative papers, correspondence, reports and surveys and general printed material.

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

English

Fit

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

For records of the New River Company see also ACC/2258/NR; ACC/3645; ACC/1953; ACC/2919; ACC/2246; ACC/1262.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

June to August 2010. New River Action Group New River Company Interest groups Cultural heritage Waterways heritage Natural heritage London Nature conservation Water resources Surface water Rivers Groups Campaign groups England UK Western Europe Europe

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Records deposited in 2005.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

The collection contains administrative papers of the New River Action Group, such as minutes, agendas and supporting papers, accounts and correspondence, as well as newsletters, photographs, promotional items, published books and articles, and maps and plans of the New River.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

The material is arranged into administrative papers, correspondence, reports and surveys and general printed material.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright to these records rests with the City of London.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

For records of the New River Company see also ACC/2258/NR; ACC/3645; ACC/1953; ACC/2919; ACC/2246; ACC/1262.

Finding aids

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

London Metropolitan Archives

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area